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Indigenous Art Today--Contemporarily Traditional or Traditionally Contemporary

Don (AhnAhnsisi) McIntyre

Don McIntyre is an Ojibway of the Wolf Clan from Timiskaming First Nation. He has been adopted in the Potlatch by the Beaver Clan of the Nisga’a.

Don is an award winning painter and carver working throughout his life in the traditional style of his territories, and more recently layering modern urban-life visions into his work. He has traveled and exhibited artwork in a spectrum of media and themes, around the world.  His work has been the subject of solo shows, and included in larger exhibitions in Canada, Germany, Asia, Australia, and the United States.  He has been commissioned to create works for public spaces, private residences as well as Potlatches and Giveaways. 

A lifetime academic as well, Don is currently completing his PhD in Laws looking at Legal Pluralism and the abilities of Indigenous Socio-Legal practices to enhance and improve Western legal paradigms. He received his LLB/JD and Master of Laws from University of British Columbia. Briefly working in the area of Corporate-Commercial Litigation for a large international law firm, Don went on to launch his own law corporation specializing in the areas of Aboriginal Law, Governance, Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, and Art Law.

His passion for academics and creativity drew him away from his practice and naturally to teaching.  Don has taught at colleges, universities and in First Nation communities in North America and around the world. Through his consultancy, CopperWolf, he provides knowledge in the areas of Indigenous Art and Traditions, Social Innovation, Law and Society, Negotiations, and Treaty.

Don McIntyre is presently Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Native American Studies Department.  He is also ongoing faculty at The Banff Centre in the Indigenous Leadership and Management Development programs.